Students from across the region compete in a performance-based event, demonstrating technical precision and connecting with industry professionals.
When sparks fly at Northwood Technical College, it’s not just a show – it’s a preview of the next generation of skilled trades talent. The recent Behind the Mask Welding Competition brought students from across the region to Northwood Technical College’s Superior Campus in March for an event centered not on winning, but on demonstrating industry-aligned, performance-based training in action.
The contest, held in partnership with the American Welding Society (AWS) Arrowhead Section, allowed students to showcase their welding skills while connecting with industry professionals, discussing job prospects, exploring training programs and learning about technological advancements in the welding field.
Over the course of four hours, the competition featured events in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Oxy-Fuel Cutting (OFC). Students demonstrated their technical precision and craftsmanship to judges, instructors, their peers and potential employers, bringing the high standards and expectations of the welding profession to life.
“This competition not only allows students to test their skills in a real-world setting but also helps them build connections within the industry,” said Aleasha Hladilek, welding instructor at Northwood Tech. “It’s a great opportunity for them to showcase their abilities and gain exposure to potential employers. Plus, they all had fun competing against their peers.”
Real-world Application of Technical Precision and Craftsmanship
With local employers seeking candidates who possess both the right skills and the ability to perform under pressure with precision, events like this offer something an application or resume simply cannot – a clear, firsthand view of the most promising hires and the quality of their craftsmanship.
Employers witness a competition that simulates real-life scenarios and performance standards, mirroring the expectations they would have on the job site. It streamlines the hiring process, allowing businesses to identify job-ready talent that align with their specific needs. Beyond evaluation, it also opens the door for connections with students who could be their next hires, and with technical colleges that are training tomorrow’s workforce.
Specifically, Northwood Tech students Jace Carlson and Jack Spencer, who placed first in the SMAW category and second in the GMAW category, respectively, at the Behind the Mask Welding Competition. Their success highlights the connection between classroom instruction and performance-based skill development.
“The competition was great to test my skills in blueprint reading, having quality control with a time limit. These are some of the things that have been emphasized at Northwood Technical College’s Welding program. I started my welding journey at Lake Superior College. After one year, I transferred to Northwood Technical College to finish my degree,” said Jack Spencer.
“I think it shows that you should be able to work well under pressure with time constraints, as well as being able to work in a chaotic environment where things may go wrong and learning how to fix them. I’m not exactly sure how other colleges are trained, but we have an excellent teacher who holds us to high standards, giving us the ability to think critically and perform in most situations. We’ve learned how to properly read blueprints, interpret weld puddles across multiple welding methods/processes, and how to order specific materials from various resources,” said Jace Carlson.
Northwood Tech as a Workforce Pipeline
Northwood Tech is supporting economic and workforce growth through the design and curriculum of its one-year welding technical diploma. The program emphasizes precision and attention to detail, with students mastering skills such as blueprint reading, fabrication and the operation of advanced technical equipment. Most of the training takes place in hands-on lab settings using the latest industry-grade tools, where students practice various welding and cutting techniques and complete a range of fabrication projects. They gain experience with CNC plasma cutters, robotic welders and welding simulators, and receive training in the three welding methods featured in the competition, as well as Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) preparing them for high-demand positions with
Making the Leap from Welding Booth to Workforce
Spencer and Carlson’s experience reflects the work ethic and talent that businesses seek in welding – skills such as problem-solving, precision and attention to detail, all of which are essential for in-demand careers in welding and related fields.
To access this level of skilled talent, employers can hire Northwood Tech graduates, partner with the college to train and upskill current employees, attend future competitions or career fairs to meet emerging candidates and support programs like welding through scholarships or donations to fund the latest equipment for training.
Businesses looking to build a partnership with Northwood Tech and tap into this pipeline of skilled, hands-on talent are encouraged to connect with the Welding program through instructor Aleasha Hladilek, Aleasha.Hladilek@NorthwoodTech.edu. Those interested in customized training for their current workforce can reach out to CustomizedTraining@NorthwoodTech.edu.
Mandy Dietrich is PR/Communications Specialist at Northwood Technical College.
